Taxon Report

Eriogonum thornei (Reveal & Henr.) L. M. Shultz

Thorne's buckwheat

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Eriogonum thornei, commonly known as Thorne's buckwheat, is a perennial shrub in the Polygonaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 1800 to 1830 meters. Eriogonum thornei is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Eriogonum thornei (Reveal & Henr.) L. M. Shultz
Common Name:
Thorne's buckwheat
Family: Polygonaceae
Element Code: PDPGN08233
USDA Plants Symbol: ERTH6
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Eriogonum ericifolium Torr. & A. Gray var. thornei Reveal & Henr.

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial shrub
Blooming Period: (Jun)Jul-Aug (Jun)Jul-Aug
Elevation: 1800-1830 (5905-6005)
General Habitats: Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 2
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 2
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Bernardino (SBD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Ivanpah (3511533), Pinto Valley (3511523)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 3
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 50 %
Improper burning regime 1 50%
Mining 1 50%
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 50%

Notes

Known from only two occurrences in the New York Mtns. Possibly threatened by mining and road construction.  See MadroƱo 23(4):205-209 (1975) for original description, and Harvard Pap. Bot. 3: 51 (1998) for revised taxonomic treatment.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 3 July 2025].